I won’t normally book hostels more than a few days in advance (if at all) but since I plan to be in Calgary during Stampede Week and San Francisco the week prior to Burning Man, I am taking the “rather safe than sorry” approach and have already booked hostels in these cities.

I’m easing into hostel life with some highly-rated hostels that appear to be much nicer than your average budget hotel for about half the price. I’m sure I’ll wake up scratching in my fair share of bedbug-infested Third World firetraps but to start out I’m erring on the side of comfort and booking the nicest hostel in each city. But hey, unlike high-end hotels in Vegas, most hostels have free wi-fi. What’s not to like? Snore on, dorm-mates, I have free wi-fi.